March 29, 2024

BALBALAN, Kalinga – The opening of new road connections between Apayao, Kalinga, and Abra will contribute in boosting the Cordillera region’s economy.
Kalinga and Apayao will soon be connected by two more roads via Balbalan in the western side and Pinukpuk as the center route, both of which are towards Conner, Apayao.
The municipal road from Tawang, Balbalan to the boundary with Mabiga in Conner, Apayao was constructed. However, it is not yet open to traffic and only vehicles with the power to roll on rough road are using it at the moment.
Mayor Eric Gonayon said about six kilometers of road opening from Tawang to Bassao boundary was implemented by the local government unit. The Apayao side of the road is not yet open, he said.
Another connecting road being eyes is via Malagnat in Pinukpuk to Daga in Conner if the proposed law converting the Apayao-Kalinga-Abra provincial road into a national road will be approved by Congress.
In the 18th Congress, Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang filed House Bill 590 seeking the conversion of the said provincial road into a national road to boost economic activities in both provinces.
The provincial road starts from Barangay Buluan in Conner traversing through Barangay Daga to Sacpil then to Pinukpuk via Taggay, Ammacian and Wagod, and continues to the farm-to-market road from Wagod to Aciga, all in Pinukpuk then to Tawang-Buaya-Mabaca-Gawaan-Liglig-Salegseg, all of Balbalan until the border of Abra.
The improvement of the road will open vast tracts of agricultural lands into production areas and small-scale industries. Peace and order will also be achieved when people are contented earning income from home-grown enterprises.
The upgrading and enhancement of the road will also serve as an alternative route to tourist destinations and to Regions 1 and 2. – Peter A. Balocnit